Headsets have become a mainstay for call center agents, sales staff and
for any other position requiring lots of phone talk time. But not all
headsets are created equal, which requires careful thought as to the headset
of choice. For example, a cheap microphone that transmits poor sound quality
to the caller reflects badly on the company, making it appear a
less-than-professional organization. Armed with the proper headset, an
employee can be not only be more comfortable, but more productive as well.
TMC Labs examined two of Plantronics' DuoPro line of headsets. The
DuoPro models include the 151, 151N, 161, 161N, 171, 171N, 181 and 181N; we
examined the 161N (noise canceling over-the-head headset) and the 171
(convertible over-the-head to over-the-ear headset).
Installing a headset is usually a no-brainer; however, headsets have many
more moving and interchangeable parts these days and we feel Plantronics
should include more detailed instructions on which pieces are removable and
how to remove them. Not that it takes a rocket scientist to figure out how
to remove or add various pieces, but we were unsure which pieces were
removable and which were not.
Thus, we were afraid we might break the headset when we tried to remove
various pieces. For example, we were able to easily remove the plastic
microphone tube from the 171, but were unable to remove the noise
cancellation microphone from the 161N even though it appeared to be
removable because the metal joint connecting the microphone to the rest of
the headset looks very similar to the joint used to attach the removable
over-the-head piece or the removable over-the-ear piece.
In using both headsets, we found the sound quality to be excellent and
both models had a comfortable feel to them ' probably due to their light
weight. According to Plantronics, the DuoPro over-the-head models have been
ergonomically engineered to distribute weight evenly across the head. All
the DuoPro headset models appear very durable with their metal-reinforced
pivot points, which need to withstand the demands of everyday use. Also, all
versions of the DuoPro headsets feature a swivel-mounted microphone joint
for flexibility and built-in cord management for balance. The over-the-ear
headsets can be worn over the left or right ear.
The noise-canceling model of DuoPro features a unique anti-twist boom
that has a very 'tight' feel to it. While the boom is movable to allow
for adjustment, it is tight enough to prevent movement due to gravity or a
hand gesture near the face. This keeps the microphone properly aligned to
minimize 'voice fade,' ensuring clear conversations.
Features
- Over-the-head style ' Unique double T-pad headband distributes
weight evenly so speaker pad does not press on the wearer's ear.
- Over-the-ear style ' Conformable earloop can be molded for a secure,
comfortable fit.
- Behind-the-head style ' New contemporary design neckband provides a
stable, discreet fit.
- Available with voice tube or noise-canceling microphone (over 65dB).
- Can be worn on either ear.
- Quick disconnect ' lets a user walk away from the phone while still
wearing the headset. Includes an adjustable clothing clip and 10-foot
coil cord for freedom of movement.
- Comes with a 2-year warranty.
Room For Improvement
The 'convertible' headset (over-the-head to over-the-ear) is a nifty
idea. However, we did not like the fact that it required a screwdriver to
convert from one mode to the other. Some sort of easy snapping mechanism
would have been preferred.
Conclusion
For both headsets tested, the voice quality was superb, the fit was very
ergonomic, and they were very lightweight. The 161N has excellent noise
cancellation at an affordable price. The 171 and 171N have the advantage
over competing products in that you are not stuck with an over-the-head or
an over-the-ear headset ' you get the best of both worlds. Usually, most
people prefer one mode or the other, but with the 171 series, if an employee
leaves the company and a new employee occupies that cubicle and prefers the
other mode, there is no need to purchase a different headset. Overall, the
Plantronics DuoPro line of headsets exceeded our expectations and we would
highly recommend them.
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August 2002 Table Of Contents ]
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